Pushing Back Against Death

April 24, 2021

DAILY READING

Matthew 8:18-22

FIELD NOTES

So often it seems, we give up too soon, weary from our work that bears so little results.  So often, we forget that Jesus, who has called us, is the one who also empowers us.  We forget that Jesus brings forth a bounty of fish so large, his followers cannot even pull it into their boat without help.  We forget that Jesus feeds thousands with a few small scraps of food, so much so that baskets of food are leftover.  We forget that Jesus doesn’t merely teach us his ways, but lives them out as an example, even when that example calls him to die.  

We so often forget the magnitude of the work of Jesus.  We are like Simon Peter, cowering behind our own sinfulness, rather than embracing the greatness of Christ.  May we do that no more.  May we, from this day forward, believe in the Jesus who brings multitudes of fish where there were none; who feeds thousands with scraps; and who pushes back against even death.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• In what ways do I let my own sin keep me from following Christ?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What is your favorite story of Jesus’ miracles?

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord, we pray that our own sin would stop getting in our way of following you, and especially of believing the truly miraculous ways in which you are able to work.  Amen.